May 2011
34 posts
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Does the Government Owe You Money?
You may have received a tax refund, but there are other ways the government could owe you money or benefits. Knowing where to look and how to proceed if the government does owe you money are your first steps to claiming money and benefits owed to you.
Not happy with your tax refund? Make sure to double check that the IRS paid you the correct amount of money owed. If you think it is wrong, you can...
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Wishing You Pleasant and Safe Memorial Day
Please join us in a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. your local time today.
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Grilling Safety Tips
Before you fire up your grill or head to a picnic this weekend, check out these food safety tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Thaw Safely
Completely thaw meat and poultry before grilling so it cooks more evenly. Use the refrigerator for slow, safe thawing or thaw sealed packages in cold water. For quicker thawing, you can defrost frozen food in the microwave if it will be placed...
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Save money when visiting your national parks this... →
Benefits of the National Parks Pass:
It’s valid for a full year from month of purchase.
You can bring three other adults age 16 or older per vehicle with your pass.
Buy your pass.
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Understanding Medicare Drug Costs
The cost of prescription drugs is a concern for many older Americans. Medicare Part D is an optional prescription drug plan that is available to anyone on Medicare. People enrolled in Medicare Part D pay a monthly premium and the program helps cover prescription drug costs. Americans 65 or older, or younger people with certain disabilities, are eligible for Medicare.
Finding a Prescription Plan
...
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Help Simplify Mortgage Forms
Mortgage forms from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
When you apply for a mortgage you usually receive two separate forms with information about the loan.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) wants to make the mortgage process easier to understand by creating one form with all of the information about your mortgage.
The CFPB has two draft forms — you can vote on which...
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FBI Reports 5.5% Decrease in Violent Crime in 2010
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released its Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report for 2010 today. According to the report, the number of violent crimes decreased 5.5% and the number of property crimes decreased 2.8% in 2010 when compared with data from 2009.
A few key findings from the report:
Violent crime declined in all city groups. Cities with populations of 250,000 to 499,999...
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Common Allergy Myths Busted
Allergy symptoms can include sneezing, and itchy eyes and nose, which are similar to the common cold. Unlike colds, allergies are caused by allergens or things that aggravate your immune system, such as grass and tree pollen, and are not contagious. While colds only last about a week, allergies can last for up to six weeks.
Over time, many people have created their own explanations for the best...
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5 Ways to Thank our Troops
This Saturday is Armed Forces Day. Here are five ways you can show appreciation for our troops:
Post a message on the services’ Facebook pages or send a tweet using the #ourmilitary or #milfam hashtags.
Visit the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces web site to send a message of thanks to a military family, find volunteer opportunities and more.
Sponsor a USO care package or...
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Listen to Historical American Music with the...
Ever wonder what people were dancing and singing to during the “Roaring 20’s” or the Jazz Age? Now you can listen to popular music from the early 1900s on the Library of Congress’ National Jukebox.
Currently the National Jukebox contains over 10,000 clips and more are being added regularly.
You can listen to the recordings for free and experiment with some of the extra features the jukebox...
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Summer Fun on a Budget
Summer is almost here—and you probably have a list of things you want to do and places you want to see. These tips will help you save money while having fun.
If you plan to take a summer road trip, make sure to check the cheapest gas prices while traveling.
Visit one of the 394 parks in the National Park System, like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite. National parks are an economical way to explore...
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Bike To Work Day on Friday
Friday is Bike To Work day and events are being held around the country to encourage bicycle commuting. Riding your bike to work is a great way to save money on transportation costs and improve your health.
Here are ways you can get involved from the Environmental Protection Agency:
Pick 5 for the Environment! Biking to work is one of those simple steps you can do to make a difference where you...
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Tracking Gulf Oil Spill Clean-Up Efforts
It’s been a year since the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill devastated communities along the Gulf Coast. The spill affected many aspects of coastal life, like the local economy and safety of the region’s natural resources.
Progress has been made over the past year, but recovery efforts and clean up are ongoing.
You can track the clean-up effort at www.restorethegulf.gov where you can find:
...
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Keep Sugarless Gum Away from Pets
While sugarless products may be better for our teeth and waistlines, they are not safe for dogs and ferrets. Xylitol, a common ingredient in sugarless gum, candies and baked goods, can cause these pets to have seizures and liver failure.
If you suspect your dog or ferret has ingested xylitol, watch for vomiting, loss of coordination and depression. Your pet may get sick within minutes or...
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Celebrate National Women's Health Week by sharing... →
The Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health and the Federal Citizen Information Center have created the “Healthy Moms Advice Kit.” It’s filled with practical tips on topics such as hay fever, recognizing and conquering depression, keeping food safe, discovering the real differences between name brand and generic drugs—and every mom’s...
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Bird-Watching in Your Backyard
Photo taken by Peter Cihelka
By Carolyn Cihelka, Consumer Information Catalog editor, mother of two and avid backyard bird watcher.
I wasn’t expecting Mother’s Day guests, but when I looked out my window last Sunday morning, there they were—two beautiful blue strangers, feeding at my thistle feeder alongside the goldfinches, regulars in my backyard. I quickly found the tiny, iridescent...
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How to Pick A Safe Helmet
As part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, it’s important to remember to wear a helmet when you ride your bike. Helmets are the only protection you have for your head if you’re in an accident.
Use these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help you choose the best option.
Select a style:
Full coverage: These helmets provide the most protection,...
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Plan Care for Your Pets During Emergencies
A Coast Guard technician helps a family and their pets near a submerged road along the Red River in Kindred, North Dakota. Photo from the Coast Guard on Flickr.
Recent disasters remind us how important it is to prepare for emergencies. When you have to evacuate your home because of an earthquake, tornado, flood, or other emergency, there’s no time to prepare. The time to prepare is now.
...
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Know Your Options When Selecting Disability...
Do you know if you have disability insurance coverage? It can be just as important as life or home insurance. If you or a family member get sick or injured and can’t work, disability insurance helps you pay the bills, buy groceries and take care of other necessities.
You generally have three options when it comes to disability insurance:
Government–sponsored program: Worker’s compensation or the...
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EnergyGuide Labels Help You Select Most...
Example of what a TV EnergyGuide label will look like after May 10
If you’ve replaced your old TV with a big flat-screen HDTV, you may have noticed a rise in your electric bill too. While the new technologies are generally more energy-efficient than the old tube TVs, the increase in screen size often offsets any efficiency gains.
To help you buy an energy-efficient TV, the Federal Trade...
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Take the Women's Checkup Day Pledge
Today is National Women’s Checkup Day, a day to remind women that regular medical checkups are vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, sexually transmitted infections and more.
From WomensHealth.gov:
As a participant in National Women’s Checkup Day, I will:
Contact my current health care professional to schedule a checkup and get important screenings.
...
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On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the extraordinary importance of mothers in...
– President Barack Obama’s Mother’s Day Proclamation ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130215132315im_/http://assets.tumblr.com/images/small_white_checkmark.png)
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2010's Most Popular Baby Names
Chart of the most popular baby names from the Social Security Administration
Having trouble picking a name for your baby? How about Jacob, Isabella, Ethan, or Sophia? These are the most popular names for babies born in the United States in 2010. The Social Security Administration tracks the most popular names for boys and girls each year.
Some names that didn’t make the 2010 top ten lists,...
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Summer Jobs with the Federal Government
Summers are synonymous with hot days at the beach, picnics at the park, and lots of fun outdoors. For some, summers are also a busy time of year—especially if you’re a student looking for a summer job. Fortunately for you, the government is hiring. Federal agencies have many summer jobs available for both students and recent college grads. The best part is that many of these positions are...
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Understanding the Air Quality Index and How it...
Map from Airnow.gov shows today’s air quality for the country.
Each day, the Environmental Protection Agency measures five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Based on these measurements, air quality around the country is graded on a scale from...
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Prevent Underage Alcohol Abuse
Most parents have heard the message: Talk to your kids about drug and alcohol abuse. But it’s hard to know when and how to initiate a conversation about the dangers of underage drinking.
Here are some tips from the experts:
Don’t wait until your kids are teenagers to start talking. Tweens—9 to 13 years of age—look to their parents for guidance about alcohol.
Talk often. One big conversation...
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3 Ways for Tornado Survivors to Apply for...
Tuscaloosa tornado damage. Image from the National Weather Service.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working hard to provide shelter, food, and water for people whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged by tornadoes last week.
If you need help, there are three ways to apply for assistance:
Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov
Register through a web enabled...
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President Obama’s remarks on Osama Bin Laden from the White House:
Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.
It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright...
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U.S. Department of State: Worldwide Travel Alert... →
statedept:
The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could…